Abstract
The preparation of 3D chitosan microtubes from polymer solutions in citric and lactic acids by the wet and dry molding methods is described. The mechanism of formation of the insoluble polymeric layer constructing the walls of these microtubes is characterized. The microtubes obtained from chitosan solutions in citric acid are found to have a fragile porous inner layer. For those obtained from chitosan solutions in lactic acid the morphology, elastic-deformation properties, physicomechanical properties, and biocompatibility were assessed. These samples have smooth outer and inner surfaces with no visible defects and high values of elongation at break. The strength of the microtubes obtained by the dry method is much higher than in the case of the wet one. A high adhesion and high proliferative activity of the epithelial-like MA-104 cellular culture on the surface of our microtubular substrates in model in vitro experiments were revealed. Prospects of using chitosan microtubes as vascular prostheses are suggested.
Highlights
Commercial vascular prostheses made of synthetic nonbiodegradable polymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene terephthalate [1, 2], or made of biological tissues, for example, animal xenopericard [3], are commonly used to replace vascular defects
We demonstrated the possibility of obtaining microtubes from water-acidic chitosan solutions in a relatively simple manner of wet spinning to a precipitation bath [25, 26]
Due to the excessive porosity of the inner layer of microtubes obtained from chitosan solutions in citric acid, (a) microtube samples obtained from chitosan solutions in lactic acid were chosen for further tests
Summary
Commercial vascular prostheses made of synthetic nonbiodegradable polymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene terephthalate [1, 2], or made of biological tissues, for example, animal xenopericard [3], are commonly used to replace vascular defects These prostheses are far from ideal and have a number of disadvantages; in particular, they do not biodegrade in a natural metabolic route and, cannot be used for short-term stay in the body. When prostheses used are made of nonbiodegradable polymers, no vessel growth with the patient’s maturation occurs Over time, such an implant must be replaced by a larger vascular prosthesis, which entails a new surgery. Full biodegradation of the polymer matrix of the prosthesis and the formation of a new vessel are expected to occur in 9 months
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